Who can apply?

An applicant for fingerprint and photograph destruction must meet the following criteria:

• Have no criminal convictions with any police service
• Have no outstanding charges before the courts
• Must not be the subject of any Peace Bond
• The application cannot be made within one year of an Absolute Discharge
• The application cannot be made within three years of a Conditional Discharge
• The application cannot be made within one year of a stay of proceedings (other than a judicial stay).

Fingerprint and photograph destruction cannot be guaranteed with this application.  It is RNC procedure to deny destruction if there are any mitigating circumstances such as risk to public safety, charges of a serious nature, or if the applicant is part of an ongoing investigation.  Additionally, a non-conviction record will be retained for a minimum of five years in cases involving:

• Treason or high treason
• Potential terrorist activity
• First or second-degree murder
• Manslaughter
• Aggravated assault
• Sexual offences

Please note there is a 30 day waiting period from the date of disposition (completed in court) before you can submit an application.  The waiting period is to ensure all documents are processed and accessible.

The applicant will be notified in writing if the request has been approved or denied.

When a request has been approved by the RNC, a request will also be sent to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to purge any file(s) and remove the record of disposition from the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC).

Fingerprint and photograph destruction does not remove the event from the RNC database. All investigative files are maintained in accordance with RNC Records Classification and Retention Schedule.

Apply online:

Applicants or their legal representatives are now able to apply for fingerprint and photograph destruction online.  The Application for Fingerprint and Photograph Destruction is available here.

Apply by mail:

Complete the Application for Fingerprint and Photograph Destruction and mail to:

Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
Fingerprinting Section
1 Fort Townshend
St. John’s, NL
A1C 2G2

Apply in-person:

Completed applications can be enclosed in an envelope clearly marked with “Application for Destruction” and submitted to your local RNC detachment. There is no fee to apply for fingerprint and photograph destruction.

How long will it take?

The processing time for fingerprint and photograph destruction is an average of four months.

Questions?

Contact Fingerprinting Services at rncident@rnc.gov.nl.ca